Plate-clamp.



W. HOHNER.

PLATE CLAMP.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 18.1911.

A-r'rvs.

Patented Nov. 9

' W.HOHNER PLATE CLAMP.

Patented Nov. 9, 19l5.

2 SHEETS SHEET 2- ENVENTOR.

WITNESSES.

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WILLIAM I-IOI-INER, OF UNIONCOURSE, NEW YORK, ASSIG-NOR TO B. HOE &(30., OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

PLATE-CLAMP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 9, 1915.

Application filed December 18, 1911." Serial No. 666,451.

1 '0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VVILLIAM HOHNER, a subject of the Emperor ofGermany, residing at Unioncourse county of Queens, and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and'useful Improvements in Plate-Glamps, fully described and represented in the following specificationand the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same.

This invention relates to improvements in plate clamps, and moreespecially to that class of plate clamps which are employed to force orstrain a flexible printing plate over its supporting bed or surface.

lhe invention has for one of its ob ects to produce an improved plateclamp of such a character that the strains set up on the clamp willcause an increase of the gripping action of the clamp members, With aresult that the greater the force employed to strain the plate to itsbed Or seat the stronger will be the gripping action of the clampmembers.

A further object of the invention is to produce an improved plate clampof such a character that the clamp may have a twisting or swivelingaction with respect to the support on which it is mounted, so that theplate may be adjusted without releasing the clamp, or, when a series ofclamps are employed, to enable certain of the clamps to shift theirposition slightly with respect to each other during the operation ofseating the plate without making it necessary to re lease the clamps.

l/Vith these and other objects not specifically referred to in view, theinvention con sists in certain constructions and in certain parts,improvements and combinations as will be hereinafter fully described andthen specifically pointed out.

Referring to the accompanyingdrawings, Figure 1 represents a part of arotary printing cylinder with a plate clamp mounted therein constructedin accordance with the invention, the clamp being shown in operativeposition. Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but with the parts of theclamp in the position they occupy when the clamp is not gripping theplate. Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the general arrangement of theplurality of plate clamps such as will usually be employed for holding aplate. Fig. 4: is a view illustrating a modified form of theconstruction. Fig. 5 is a sectional view illustrating one form ofconstruction which may be employed for obtaining a swiveling action of aplate clamp. Fig. 6 is a modified form of construction which may beemployed for obtaining the swiveling action. 7

In the drawings, which illustrate one embodimentof the invention, 1indicates a portion of a cylinder bed, and 2 a flexible plate which issupported by the bed. It will be understood that in seating flexibleplates, such as indicated in Fig. 2, on a bed, clamps are employed bywhich the edges of the plate are seized, the clamps being then given amovement to strain the plate over the bed.

Referring to the construction illustrated in Fig. 1, 3 illustrates asupport such as a cross bar on which is pivotally mounted a clamp body fhaving a bore 5 through which the support 3 passes. The clamp bodycarries a jaw 6 which, in the best constructions, will be formedintegrally with the clamp body. In the best constructions, furthermore,a movable jaw will be employed which will be cause to be moved by thestrain on the plate, the movement being of such a character as to causethe movable jaw to approach the other jaw as the strain on the plateincreases. In the particular construction illustrated, the movable jawconsists of :1. roll 7 mounted in a socket 8 in the clamp body, thesocket being formed to provide an upwardly inclined surface 9. It willbe understood that when the surface of the roll 7 and that of the upperjaw have been caused to grip the edge of the plate a strain on the platewill cause the roll to advance up the incline slightly, thus increasingthe gripping action.

In the best constructions embodying the invention means will be providedfor effecting what may be termed a preliminary gripping movement of themovable j aw. While this may be accomplished in various ways, in theconstruction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the upper part of the clamp body isprovided with a socket in which is mounted a plunger 10 bearing againstthe surface of the roll and impelled forward by a spring .11 located inthe socket, the tension of the spring being adjustable by a screw 12.When a plate is to be inserted, the movable jaw is forced back againstthe tension of the spring until the plate is inserted between it and thejaw 6. The jaw is then released and the spring causes it to advance andgrip the plate, after- Which the clamp bodyis moved as a whole to set upastrain ontheplate.

The movement of the clamp body referred to may be effected in variousways. In the construction shown, the clamp body is, as

before described, pivotally mounted, and

such construction is regarded, aspreferable.- When a pivotally mountedclamp body is mployed, means, should; be. pnouided for forcing it; awayfrom the bed; Onwhich the plate is, to be. positioned. 111.1 the.construe tion shown. in; Figs. 1. and. 2, an. actuator comprising ascrew. 13, is, employed tapped through an openingin; the. clampbody.llhe screw may be provided with a hand. Wheel, as 14., for turning it,and also, be proid d with a. acetedzhead, asI 15, to which a. wrench be;applied, iffnecessary. The usual 1ock-nut, as- 1.16,. may..- also be.-employed. Inthe constructionshown iniFigs. 1 and: 2, the inner, end; ofa screw 17 bears against an abutment plate. 18 screwed, or secured r nny then suitable. manner, tothe bed which supports the plate.

In the: best constructionsembodying the invention a. release mechanismmay. be employed, for positively releasing the clamp, when it.isidesiredto remove. the plate, or.- for any other reason. While-therelease mechanism be variously constructed, in. the construction; shownin. Figs; 1 and. 2, the actual? r screw 13- carries a collar. 19;. the

body being-cutaway to formtwo project i QObetween WlllCllxlSdOCElllQCl arecess, this i'rBCGSS being of sufficient. size and of sufficient depth,so. that. when the actuator screw is. retracted the collar will contactwith the surface of the roll j a-wand force it positively backeto,releasethe plate.

In: the. constr ct on illustrated, in. Fig. 4, the pivoted: clamp body.1,. the. support; 3, the jaw 6, and therollg-jaw- 7. are constructed "asbefore described. Instead, however; of

- a. rocking pin.- 2.6v supported. in an extension 27.fromithecla'mp-body; Thescrew: is providedwith. a; collar block 28having circular projections 29; on.each,- end,.these pnojections restingbetween. theforks 30, 3110f abracket blo k 82'secured. by asorew 33, orin; any other suitable manner-,to a. stationary part, such, forinstance,- as-.0ne; edge of the gap. in the cylinder with which. such:clamps; are usually. employed The screw is provided witha. head. 3.4:;to which a, wrench may be applied, and with a collar which bears againstthe under surface of the under fork 31 l V-hen the screw is turned, theclamp body willbe rocked, the rocking blocks 26 and. 2.8 permitting thismovement. In this construction, furthermore, the release of the roll.jaw is effected by means of a lever 35 having a rounded projection 36 atits forward. nd;,. thislever fitting in a socket formed in a forwardprojection 37 of the clamp body. Thev operating end 38 o the levenis.anranged so. that; when; the. lever is depressed. it. willhear; againstthecenter of the, roll jaw; and; fonceitgback, A locking pin 39iisprovidedunder which: the. leverqis positioned when the/roll; jaw-isinits. backward position, thus :prevehtingthe. spning123 from. forcing:the: jaw. forward.

Afton-the plate has-:beenseated, it is. found sometimes, andparticularly in multicolor work; thatit: is:.necessary to. Slightlyswing thevplate-sin ordentzo bring it; into,th,c precise positionct.registemlesired. Withv the forms of: clamps heretofore in; use,itchas beenausual to eifect this swingingby slacking off. all the;clamps-except one on one; endan l fig ening the: clamps. on the;- other.end. This method. of; adjustment, is, howeven; likely toibuckl-ei; a1plate-slightly and. deform the design. In. clamps: embodying theinvention inqits best fo1-m,.pro.uision is.made whereby any one.preferably each. of, the. clamps employed, may: have a. slight;swineling action with respect to the support. This; e11- ables theswinging movement. giuenthe. plate; as-it. is adjusted, and, therefore,enables; the: atljustment. to be. readily made; and; without buckling.'hhemeans-hy which this-swineling action 1. is accomplished beconsiderably/varied: lnwhatzis regandedas the. best form. of. the;construction, thesbore. of the body isprovided. (seellig. 5.)?llthirl;concave socket 4-0,. and. the support; 3;. is; provide-cl with; aconvexiprojectionehtheitavoforming a ball and socket oint. III-101K161)to. permi theclamp. body to be; placed. imposition, the hub of. the;body has the bore 5.: of'zlanger diameter: at; one GIlClJ thanitheiother andi a bush, as, 43., is.. inserted after the body has been.-placed on. the supportfiheinnen end of this bushing shouldbe.conca-ve,.as;indica ted 41, so. that; it. forms. as part of} thesocket. 'llhe; bushing, when. thisgmeth'odi of construction; isemployedg. should be held in positiomin; somemannenaas, fon instance,by; a. set-screw, indicated at 45.. Itwillbe understood that. thebore5'. lSi somewhat larger than; the. Suppontwhich-ity surrounds,

soas to 1 permit: the: swiivelingjaotion; refenredi cone-shapcd;. asindicated at: 46., the G n edge. of? the clamps to follow. the

shaped bores meeting at about the center of the hub of the body. Withthis construction spacing collars, as 47, are employed to preventsidewise shift of the clamp bodies on the supports.

Changes and variations may be made in the construction by which theinvention claimed is carried into efiect. The invention claimed is not,therefore, to be confined to the particular constructions herein shownand described.

Vl hat is claimed is 1. The combination with a support, of a pluralityof plate clamps mounted thereon, and means for permitting a swivelingaction of a clamp with respect to the support and independent of theother clamps.

The combination with a support, of a plurality of plate clamps mountedthereon, and means whereby a swiveling action of each clamp may bepermitted independently of the other clamps.

3. The combination with a support, of a plurality of plate clampsmounted thereon, each or said clamps including a clamp body and each orsaid bodies having a longitudinal bore through which the support passes,and a rocking bearing connection between each body and the support, saidconnection being located between the ends of the bore, whereby aswiveling action of each body is permitted.

4:. The combination with a support, of a plurality of plate clampsmounted thereon, each clamp including a clamp body and a ball and socketconnection between the clamp body and the support.

5. In a plate clamp, the combination with a support, of a clamp bodymounted thereon, an inclined surface on the clamp body, a jaw movablealong the surface, a companion jaw, an abutment, an actuator operatingto force the jaw away from the abutment, the strain on the plate thusset up causing the movable jaw to approach the companion jaw, and areleasing device operated by the reverse movement o1 the actuator.

6. In a plate clamp, the combination with a support, of a clamp bodypivotally mounted thereon, an inclined surface on the'clamp body, aroller jaw movable along the sur face, a companion jaw, an abutment, anactuator for forcing the clamp body away from the abutment to set up astrain on the plate, and thereby causing the movable aw to move up theincline, and a release mechanism operated by a reverse movement of theactuator.

7. In a plate clamp, the combination, with a body having a jaw, asupport carried by said body and inclining upward toward the free end ofsaid jaw, of a cylindrical jaw having a smooth periphery arranged tomake a rolling contact with the inclined support, and means for movingthe body so as to cause the cylindrical jaw to move up the incline andtherebv increase its gripping action on the plate.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence 01-two subscribing witnesses.

RICHARD KELLY, Gno. R. CREIGHTON.

Copies of this natent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

